"To go hungry and endure hardship, I would have stayed in Cuba." This was the blunt response of a Cuban resident in the United States, known as ✨Jessinailartist✨ on TikTok, to a comment accusing her of being "selfish." The message asserted that, living abroad, she has access to basic needs like food and medical care, while Cubans on the island face a very different reality.
The creator did not stay silent and delivered a strong message: "You say I’m selfish because I can buy food here and go to a doctor. Well, my dear, if I wanted to keep suffering and in need, I would have stayed in Cuba. That’s why I left Cuba, and that's why I did what I did to escape it."
He also explained that he doesn’t understand the criticisms directed at those who emigrated in search of a better future, recalling that many risked their lives to escape. "What’s the point of leaving Cuba? To come here and have to support others? To come here and have to support a loafer? No, my life. First and foremost, I came for myself, for a better future for me, so that my son would be born in this country," he stated clearly and without hesitation.
The response from @jessinailartista sparked an intense debate in the comments. One user defended her viewpoint by pointing out that in Cuba, people do not understand that those who emigrated should not feel guilty for what they have: "You shouldn't feel guilty for what we have here because we worked for it and fought for it, and we came here to have freedom." Jessinailartist replied: "Exactly, and many of us even risked our lives."
Another comment questioned why those who emigrate should bear the economic responsibility for those who stay: "Where does it say that the one who left is obligated to support the one who stayed? Everyone must fight for their own with their own resources, but they have already gotten used to being supported."
Among the criticisms, the topic of obligations to family in Cuba also emerged. "If you come from Cuba and your children are here, you must have your parents back there, so pay your parents the average 18 years they supported you," wrote one user. The creator responded with irony: "Hahaha it never adds up, and if they don’t work, it’s impossible."
Some comments emphasized that helping does not mean enabling, something the creator made clear in her message. "It's true, we need to help, but not support freeloaders, because I know them—money comes first for nails and hair rather than for food, and they don't work."
The debate also touched on political issues. A follower claimed that the Communist Party in Cuba is the main culprit for the division of so many families, to which Jessinailartist responded: "My president is Trump, the one I voted for. In Cuba, there's just a position appointed by the hand."
The creator concluded her message by reaffirming her stance and remembering the sacrifices of those who emigrated: "That's why I endured and left Cuba. That's why all the Cubans here got on boats, crossed countries, married foreigners even if they didn't like them, just to get out of Cuba. How many things has a Cuban done to achieve what you say makes me selfish? If it was just to continue suffering from hunger and need, I would have stayed in Cuba then."
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuban Immigration and Expectations in the United States
Why are some Cubans in the United States criticized for not sending money to Cuba?
Criticism arises from the expectation on the island that those who emigrate should provide financial support to those who remain. However, many emigrants argue that they left to improve their quality of life and not to bear the financial burden of others. They do not see it as fair to be compelled to support those who stay in Cuba, especially if it is perceived that those remaining are not making efforts to improve their situation.
Is life easy for Cuban emigrants in the United States?
Contrary to what some may think, life in the United States is not easy for Cuban immigrants. Although they may access certain immigration benefits, they face high living costs, the need to find employment quickly, and the challenge of adapting to a new social and economic system.
Why do tensions arise between Cubans in the U.S. and their relatives in Cuba?
Tensions arise mainly from the high expectations of financial support that families in Cuba have. Many on the island expect to receive ongoing financial assistance, which puts pressure on emigrants in the United States, who feel that their efforts are not appreciated or understood.
What challenges do newly arrived Cubans face in the United States?
Cuban newcomers must face several challenges, such as adapting to the language, finding employment, and achieving economic stability. They also encounter prejudices and expectations from those who are already in the country, which can complicate their integration and initial stability.
Filed under:
